Common Errors in English Usage with Explanations - Part 64

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• Each of these boys play games.  (wrong)
• Each of these boys plays games.  (correct)
• Explanation : The subject of the sentence 'each' is singular.
• We all did not go. (wrong)
• None of us went.  (correct)
  
• Explanation : If all are excluded from art action, we use none. 
• One should not waste his time.  (wrong)
• A man / boy should not waste his time.  (correct)
• Explanation : If one is the subject of the sentence the genitive for it is one's. 
• 'Have you a pen ?' - 'I have not got'. (wrong)
• 'Have you a pen ?' - 'I have not got one' or, 'I don't have one'.  (correct)
• Explanation : 'Have' is a transitive verb and needs an object to complete this sentence. The referential expression for an object is it or one. 
• 'Is he coming ?' - 'Yes, I think'.  (wrong)
• 'Is he coming ?' - 'Yes, I think so'.  (correct)
• Explanation : The pronominal expression for a statement is so; and not it. Think needs a sentence as its complement; so does the job. 
• He enjoyed during the holidays.  (wrong)
• He enjoyed himself during the holidays.  (correct)
• Explanation : Enjoy means 'to take pleasure in an activity' whereas enjoy oneself means 'to have a pleasant time'. 
• The boy who does best he will get a prize.  (wrong)
• Whoever does best he will get a prize.  (wrong)
• The boy who does best will get a prize.  (correct)
• Whoever does best will get a prize.  (correct)
• Explanation : As the verb-phrase 'will get a prize' has already got a subject, e.g., the boy who does best or whoever does best, it does not need another subject. 
• 'Who did this ?' - 'Myself'. (wrong)
• 'Who did this ?' - 'I (myself)'. (correct)
• Explanation : In response to the question, we have to use the subject of the sentence, i.e., I, in this context. 'Myself' can follow it for emphasis. 
• I and he are brothers.  (wrong)
• He and I are brothers. (correct)
• Explanation : It is considered conceited to put 'I' first when there are two subjects. 
• Jack with some friends went for a walk. (wrong)
• Jack went for a walk with some friends.  (correct)
• Jack, along with his friends, went for a walk.  (correct)
• Explanation : The subject of the sentence is jack. The companions can be mentioned at the end of the sentence by using with, or with the subject by using along with, separating it from the subject by commas.  
• She is wiser than me. (wrong)
• She is wiser than I. (correct)
• Explanation : In traditional grammar 'I' is preferred because the comparison is with 'than I am'. However, in spoken English, 'I' is rarely used in British or American English.

You can check the Old Posts of this Series from here

Shared by Bhargav Gupta Yechuri

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